Weekend Roundup, October 22

Arena Stage is officially opening the Mead Center for American Theater on Saturday. To celebrate its return, a full day of free presentations, discussions, and performances has been scheduled. Take in the slam poetry of Universes on the Outdoor Stage. Then sneak a preview of Arena Stage’s inaugural program, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Oklahoma”, at the Fichandler Stage. If music’s more your style, catch a concert performance from Tony Award nominee Brad Oscar in the Kreeger Theater. Events will be running from 11:30 am to 5:45 pm throughout Arena Stage. Visit www.arenastage.org for a complete schedule.

Capitals Street Festival 10/23/10

Capital One Bank is hosting a free Capitals Street Festival this Saturday. Activities include slap shot and accuracy challenges, a “call-the-play” studio for would-be commentators, and a mascot meet-and-greet with Slapshot. These events will be held outside of the Verizon Center on F Street, from 3 to 7 pm, prior to the start of the Caps-Thrashers game. Also, expect to see some of DC’s more famous sports personalities. All Caps fans are welcome!

Spooky Movie Film Festival & Halloween on Screen 10/14/10-10/30/10

Tonight, the Spooky Movie Film Festival kicks off at the AFI Silver Theatre. At 9:45 pm, there will be a screening of “Tucker & Dale vs. Evil”. While the rest of the film festival will take place at the Cinema Arts Theatre in Fairfax (www.thespookymovie.com), AFI promises more cinematic chills with its own Halloween on Screen series that continues Saturday (www.afi.com). At 9:45 pm that night, George Romero’s rarely screened, preferred cut of Dawn of the Dead will roll, followed by Suspiria at midnight. Tickets will be $10 both nights.

Arabian Sights Film Festival 10/21/10-10/31/10

If horror flicks aren’t your thing, perhaps films featuring the Arab world are more your taste. The 15th Annual Arabian Sights Film Festival is on day two of its launch tonight and will run until October 31. This evening’s feature is “Shawkat Amin Korki”, an 81-minute motion picture telling the story of an unused soccer stadium that is home to hundreds of Kurdish, Arab, Turkish, and Assyrian refugees. The movie earned the Grand Prize at both the Gulf and Tapei International Film Festivals and the International Film Critics Award in 2009. There will be an after party following the screening, catered by Zenobia Café. Tickets are $15 per person, and the film starts at 6:30 pm. Festival passes are also available.